Dear Princess Celestia,

I had that same nightmare again last night. Pitch blackness in every window, nothing new there. Golden Oaks Library, just like I remember it. A single candle flickering in the center of the table. Blood, everywhere. Only this time it was Spike laid out on the floor. Oh Celestia, it looked like he was ... I can’t even bring myself to write it.

I let the little guy sleep in this morning. I went out early and picked him up some cupcakes from Sugar Cube Corner for when he wakes up. Sapphire, his favourite kind. He’s going to wonder why he’s getting special treatment. He just means so much to me; I can’t bear to lose him. Even in my dreams.

I haven’t had a single night of uninterrupted rest since the murders started. I know what you’re going to say, but I must insist on continuing to lead the investigation. It’s only a matter of time before the killer slips up, and I plan to be there when they do. Ponyville is my town, and we have been through enough. I haven’t known any of the victims personally, but everypony is special to somepony. They deserve justice. I thank you for continuing to take on my royal duties while I’m indisposed.

Oh Celestia, it’s only been a year since I became a Princess, but I already feel like I’ve seen too much. Saving the world from disaster is easy compared to the task of rebuilding and restoration that comes after.

Considering the year we’ve had:
The Tartarus Catastrophe,
The Resurgence of Nightmare Moon,
The Second Changeling Invasion (That was a rough one),

Almost makes me want to turn in my wings. But we managed to win every time. My friends and I, we were always able to turn the tide. Together we locked the daemons back behind the gates of Tartarus. We imprisoned the traitor deep within the earth. After spending a month in the changeling dungeon, my friends were able to rescue me and we finally turned the queen to stone. We always won. Nopony ever died.

This is different. Ponies have died. The count is eleven now. Eleven ponies that are never going to go home and see their families again. It’s been three weeks and we don’t even know who or what we are up against. What good is the power that comes with being an Alicorn when you have nothing to direct it at?

Two hundred years without a murder. Why now? This type of thing doesn’t happen in Equestria. Not in my Equestria.

There’s a knock at the door. Celestia, I hope it’s not another one.

Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Twilight Sparkle caught herself before she called out for Spike to answer the door. She decided to let him sleep; it had been tough for the baby dragon over the last three weeks. It had been tough for everyone. She walked down the spiralled staircase of the library and headed for the hammering at the door. It was good to be back home; a small comfort in these dark times, but it helped. Her grand palace suite was beautiful, but cold like a museum. Being back in the library, surrounded by the familiar books and treasured memories, was one of the few things that kept her sane in all this chaos. She gazed out the window as she passed, seeing only the jet black of the new night, devoid of moon and stars. Not for the first time, she became acutely aware of the deep hole this left in her heart. She continued moving down the stairs, pushing the familiar pain deep down within her. She feared that she may need the room. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she crossed the dark room and opened the pounding door. The pink pony in the doorway met Twilight’s inquisitive gaze with one of detached affirmation. She had been right. She cursed out loud.

Pinkie said nothing as she entered the library, shaking the rain off her flattened mane and tail as she did so. They had never resumed their usual puffy curls after the invasion. That was three months ago. About as long as it had been since anyone had seen her laugh. She crossed to the table and took a seat; face cast in an eerie glow by the flickering candle in front of her as she waited for the purple mare to speak. Twilight had always known there was a dark side to Pinkie, but she never thought she would see it take such a firm hold on the normally cheerful pony. She hadn’t wanted to involve her in the investigation at all, for fear it would drive her further into her depression. But after the fifth killing, Twilight had hoped that the mysterious Pinkie Sense would be able to discover something that her science could not. So far, they were both drawing blanks.

“When?” Twilight's head fell as she spoke.

“The guards say it was probably late last night,” Pinkie replied evenly.

Twilight looked up with a jolt. “That’s fantastic! We’ve never been able to get to the scene that quickly. There may be fresh evidence!”

Pinkie’s stare didn’t waver.

Twilight caught herself. Did she really just say that? Celestia, what was this murderer doing to them? To her? Twilight’s guilt hung heavily on her shoulders. She asked what should have been her first question.

“Who?”

Pinkie shrugged as she stood. She walked past Twilight toward the still open door. Turning her head as she passed the Alicorn, she replied, “don’t worry. It was no one you knew. You coming?”

“Let me get Spike.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

No doubt you have been informed that there's been a twelfth victim.
Pinkie, Spike, and I are on our way to the scene now. This is the quickest we have been able to respond yet and I am hopeful that fresh clues with give us a new lead. Perhaps the Pinkie Sense will be able to pick up on something if we get there quick enough.
We are close now. As always, I will keep you informed.

Respectfully,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S.
In response to your last letter, I know you question my involving Spike in the investigation. Truthfully, his organizational assistance in compiling evidence and clues has been invaluable, but you must know the real reason for my bringing him along. Please forgive my disrespect, but I cannot bear the thought of something happening if I let him out of my sight. No number of royal guards can take care of him like I can, and as a Princess the decision is mine to make, not yours.

Twilight completed the letter and closed it with her seal before levitating it over to Spike to send. Poor little guy was shaking from the cold rain and no small amount of fear as he rode on her back. She conjured up a thick fleece blanket and used her magic to wrap around his shoulders. He stuttered thanks through chattering teeth. Pinkie raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as she walked beside them.

As they approached the scene they saw the area had been cordoned off by the Royal Guard. A dozen lanterns were lit, creating a wavering aura of light holding back the complete blackness of the night. Levitating one of the lanterns over to where they stood, Twilight eased Spike off her back. “Wait right here Spike. Do not move until I come get you. You understand?” He nodded stiffly as she placed the lantern in his hands; his eyes never left the illuminated area.

Twilight motioned to Pinkie and approached the circle of armoured guards. She summoned two of them forward. “Go keep an eye on my friend back there please. Make sure he doesn’t go anywhere,” she said, placing a touch of authority on her words. Saluting, they turned and walked toward their charge. Satisfied, Twilight stepped into the flickering torchlight.

Someone had placed a sheet over the victim at some point. Twilight shot a dirty look toward the guard captain, who shifted nervously. She would have to have another chat with him about disturbing evidence. She lifted off the ground and hovered over the scene, taking it all in. Hoof prints. No claw marks, no foot prints, just hoof prints. She shook her head sadly. It was looking more and more likely that the culprit they sought after was a pony. She didn’t want to believe it, but evidence was evidence.

Pinkie walked up to the drawn sheet. Twilight watched as she slipped a hoof under a corner and lifted up just enough to peek inside. As she looked down into the hidden space under the cover, Twilight witnessed a cold smile slowly spreading on her face.

“Why hello Caramel. Happy birthday.” Pinkie’s whispered voice carried a shadow of her old happiness. She reached into her flattened pink mane and pulled out a small hoof full of coloured confetti, sprinkling it around the corpse before replacing the sheet.

Twilight found the pink mare’s strange actions rather worrying. It definitely didn’t seem to be a healthy way to react to the situation. Then she thought about how she be feeling if she was in Pinkie’s place. Twilight’s heart broke for her friend. This crisis was hitting everyone hard, but she could only imagine what it was like for Pinkie. Pinkie knew literally every pony in Ponyville. Today she lost her twelfth friend in three weeks. Twilight said nothing about the confetti contaminating the crime scene.

The two spent the next few hours combing the area for clues. Twilight was having no luck whatsoever. She had taken a glance under the sheet and had vomited in her mouth at the sight. She wasn’t sure how Pinkie could have determined the corpse’s identity so quickly. Giving up, she glanced over at Pinkie. She had been standing beside Caramel for the last forty five minutes without moving. Her eyes were closed but Twilight could see them darting around underneath their lids. Then it happened. An ear flop, a knee twitch, a shiver, and a tail flick. Pinkie was onto something. Twilight silently approached her friend, not wanting to break her concentration. After a moment, Pinkie opened her eyes, her cold gaze complimented by a harsh smile.

Twilight tried to be patient, but her curiosity was overpowering. “Well? Did you sense anything? What was it?”

Pinkie turned her head slowly till she faced Twilight, the dark grin never leaving her face. “Yeah I definitely picked up on something,” she spoke slowly as her smile grew slightly. “I’m going to need...” she paused thoughtfully, “some time to make sense of it though.” She walked toward Twilight, slowly edging up beside her and throwing a hoof around her shoulders, giving a squeeze. “Why don’t you come over to Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow? I should be ready by then.” Her eyes brightened for a moment as she continued, “We can have the whole gang over. We need to keep them in the loop, right? Besides, it’s been a while since I spent some ... quality time with my girls.”

Twilight again felt uneasy at her friend’s behaviour. She wanted to tell her to take a few days off, but if she really did sense something that could give them a lead on the case, they couldn’t pass that up. “Sure Pinkie, that sounds like a good idea. I’ll let the others know.”

Pinkie squeezed the purple mare tighter. “Don’t you worry about that silly! You just come over to Auntie Pinkie’s tomorrow morning. I’ll let everyone else know. Make sure and show up nice and early so we can ... bake some cupcakes for everyone. It will be a nice surprise.”

Twilight squirmed uncomfortably in the tight embrace, but she didn’t want to offend by breaking it. “Sure Pinkie, take all the time you—” Suddenly a guard bolted up to the pair, interrupting her thought.

“I’m sorry Princess, but your friend, he’s gone! He must have slipped away while we were being debriefed by the Captain!”

Twilight, instantly filled with terror at the thought of the baby dragon out alone at night, broke free of Pinkie’s embrace and flew into the air. She desperately scanned the darkness, calling the little dragon’s name. A sharp gasp sounded behind her. She whipped her head back toward the ring of torches. Spike stood there, claws clamped over his mouth; the sheet that had been covering the body thrown aside.

Dear Princes Celestia,

We may have made some progress at last. While I didn’t discover any physical clues at the crime scene, Pinkie seems to have picked up something with her Pinkie Sense. This could be the breakthrough we need. I worry about the toll this is taking on her, but we cannot afford to continue without her help.

Pinkie said she needed some time to interpret her experience. The other elements and I are gathering at Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow morning. Hopefully she will have some new information for us to go on. As always, I shall keep you informed.

Forever your student,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S.
I have reconsidered your advice regarding Spike’s involvement in the investigation. He will remain at the Golden Oaks Library for the remainder of the crisis. I have stationed guards at the library to ensure his safety. I regret not deferring to you on this earlier.

It was barely morning when Twilight Sparkle was jerked awake by another nightmare. Thankfully this one faded as soon as she stood up from her bed. Noticing she was cold and soaked with sweat, she walked into the bathroom to start on her morning routine, stepping carefully around the still-sleeping Spike. After grooming herself, she walked down the stairs and met with the two guards stationed within the library. Re-affirming their orders, Twilight decided to get an early start and left the library while darkness still shrouded the land.

Despite the pitch black surrounding her, Twilight could not help but feel her spirits lift. Progress! Today they may finally uncover something they could use to put a stop to these grisly murders. She was encouraged by the thought as she came to the town center and approached Sugar Cube Corner. Knowing the hour was still early, she used the key she had been given to open the door into the dark bakery. She closed the door quietly behind her as she entered so as not to disturb the Cakes, who normally left the morning baking to their apprentice. Turning back toward the room, Twilight gave a sudden startled shriek.

“Pinkie! You scared the life out of me,” Twilight exclaimed as she held a hoof up to her pounding heart. The room was dark but for a lantern sitting in front of the pink mare as she stood behind the counter of the shop. Pinkie didn’t say anything. She only stared, eyes cold and hard, a knowing smile tugging at her cheeks.

Something was wrong here.

Twilight stepped forward slowly, irrational fear tightening her chest. She tried to focus her awareness on her surroundings but the encompassing blackness made it impossible to see anything other than the grinning pink pony.

Twilight tried speaking to her friend again. “Listen, I... I know its early but ... but I thought that we could get an early start on those ...” Twilight trailed off. Her friend said nothing. Pinkie just stared through the fragile, flickering light of the lantern, watching as she came closer.

Something was wrong here.

Twilight’s mind raced as she fought to control her rising panic. Still she continued to slowly approach the counter. Pinkie has been off lately, but she hasn’t been that off has she? She was her friend. She would never ...

Dropping the pretense, Twilight tried again, her voice cracking as she spoke. “Pinkie please, you’re scaring me. Can you light another lantern or something?”

The grim smile was her only answer.

Twilight moved around the table in the center of the room, more from memory than actually being able to see it. Pinkie's eyes did not follow her, instead they stoically continuing their penetrating gaze toward the door.

Something was wrong here.

Twilight felt dread begin to replace the fear in her heart, snaking inside her chest and causing bile to rise into her throat. She quickened her pace toward the still unmoving pink pony. Reaching the counter, she leapt to the other side and turned to face Pinkie. Twilight's eyes grew wide, streaming with shocked tears as she gazed in horror at her friend. Unable to stop herself, she threw herself to the floor and spilled the meagre contents of her stomach onto the red-stained bags of flour being used to prop Pinkie up in a standing position. Her friend still stared at the door, continuing her weird vigil as blood flowed down the wet trough gouged out where her spine should have been.

Author's Note

First shot at Suspense/Mystery/Horror. Let me know what you think in the comments.